First up, most impressed by St Marys..haven't been for a while, very welcoming, excellent Away facilities, sensible prices for grub etc. Like the many hundreds of Town supporters who travelled down to the south coast, it proved a most enjoyable evening, and everyone left in good spirits...literally! had predicted 2-1 to Saints, but feared another rout! Sizing up the players as they came on to pitch, we thought OMG they are all at least foot taller than us! Yes, they looked full of confdence and showed why they are top of the class...for the moment. As it was, Saints fizzed into early action and we were ok but tentative. A few old defence howlers crept in, but we held our own for most of 1st half, solid at back and Alex pulled off several timely saves. Saints strong wingers were pinging it about, but we held our shape and made several forays upfield to show what we could do...unsettled them a few times. 0-0 half time, they should have been 2 up at least. JP pep talk later, and we were a different team and stepped up a gear, much like on Saturday when we went at them string lots of lovely passes together and rattled their back 4. We got in behind them and began to shoot from far...and the midfield playing with much more confidence. Their height advantage began to be shaken by our terrier and harrying & chasing. At about 80 mins, an astute sub from Adkins brought on, de Ridder, who immediately changed the game and set up simple, direct thru the right channel pass...easy goal for, yes again, Lambert. Did we roll over as of yore? No way. After a superb jump and header from Chops almost undid them, our own subs leapt into action, and Scotland with his 3rd touch, dribbled and dazzled and let fly a scorcher and into the roof of the net, with a slight deflection. We ride our luck now, and about time too! End to end high tempo game flowed and several chances fell to both sides. Final whistle saw ecstatic Town fans chanting and mocking...awesome silence from Home crowd as we had pulled off an unexpected draw. And, only Saints 1st home goal conceded in 7 games.Now that tells you something about our revival. While we are not the complete article just yet, but I saw a very fine, energetic and commited performance from everyone, players proud to wear blue, show up and concentrate for the full 94 mins! That was a first! While Leadboots & co marshalled the defence pretty well, we do need to get Sonks back in form, and get another powerful hotshot in back 4. Edwards was a harrier and potentially outplayed by theirwinger...but he stuck to his guns and grew in confidence. A hugely enjoyable evening...and expect another point at Hull...at least. Then, as I say top 10 realistic. By the by, nice to see Saints fans on here giving praise where it's due. They will go up for sure, all round impressive set up, and deservedly so...and perhaps our turn next season to give it real go. COYB
A very good read Southcoast! I listened on Suffolk and the legend sir Johnny of Wark was the co commentator. He mentioned a few times how lazy JET was and I wondered if that is fair criticism? I never normally question anything the legend says but just wondered if JET could have worked harder last night? A very encouraging result and who can argue about being the first team to score a goal against them at St Marys in 7 games! Onwards and upwards at last!
Thanks JWM, it was good to be there and so much positivity around the Away stand...a vibrant echo from the past! Hmm, tricky Q; JET's silky skills, Legs- follow- half- an -hour after the brain is in gear performance is always a riddle for fans, at least the knowledgeable lot. He does appear to be lazy and floating around, but in practice he does some remarkable stuff and leaves players - often tight marking- in his wake...and his final delivery is often, not always, bang on. I dunno if he is genetically wired, but he is worth every penny and exudes a carefree confidence around him which is no bad thing. And he is now developing a habit of letting fly from a distance with some recent success! Onwards & upwards as you say!
I must admit he looked fantastic against Bristol in the first half whit his mazy runs and his shooting power is awesome! Second half he seemed to fade quite badly towards the end and for a modern athlete this seems strange! Maybe Johnny was comparing JET to his own style of play, no one could accuse Warky of fading during the second half of any game!
I would agree with you there Warky, JET did fade 2nd half against Brizzle but I think that had more to do with them doubling up on him as he had caused so many probs 1st half, that is probably what led to the rest of the midfield having a better 2nd half as they had a bit more time + space.
southcoast, which blues player stood out for you last night? as already mentioned, JET didn't have a great game and I got the impression from the radio that drury wasn't at his best either?
PP for me all went about their business, but for me Cresswell (again), Leadboots, Chops, Murphy & Martin played well for most of the game. Tho Martin was flagged up for offside too many times by zealous linesman who needed his eyes testing, and that menat that JET was not fed thru as he likes. Overall tho, I liked the whole shape and energy...Saints obviously had done their home work on JET and co - and for once, I will wave a flag for our defence who stuck it out against a very formidable front line. I would like to see Hyam back again soon, and of course Scotland is clearly waiting in the wings, but lets not get into the RK frame of constantly changing the team all the time....rotation of one or two platers a good thing, as we get fixture busy, but not wholesale changes. I forget if McCarthy is one of ours now, or on loan. He played well and commanded his area pretty convincingly, and stopped a flood in the 1st half. I predict at least a point at Hull!
